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Stable View’s third recognized event of the 2018 season saw 180 horses going to the start. Held Tuesday, March 20, the event ran as a busy one-day with plenty of afternoon sunshine. Prize money was awarded in each division of Beginner Novice through Intermediate, making for an exciting and rewarding day of sport.

Horses and riders successfully completed the challenging cross country courses, designed by Capt. Mark Phillips (I-P) and Mogie Bearden-Muller (T-BN). There several new jumps on course, and the upper level tracks used portions of the new Eventing Academy cross country course.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

The Intermediate division started the day, with Nilson Moreira da Silva finishing on top aboard Cash. Anna Honeycutt and Fernhill Chico won the Open Preliminary with only 1.2 cross country time faults added to their dressage score. Barbara Selmayr with Kildare’s MHS Tampa won the Open Training after an impressive 20.5 dressage score. Amanda Beale-Clement and Pippin VI won the large Open Novice
division with a 29.8 dressage score, and Sally Davis and MFF Manhattan Affair won the Open Beginner Novice also by finishing on their dressage.

Congrats to all! Photo by Christine Rhodes.

The Pavilion construction is continuing quickly, with the impressive building’s structure providing the backdrop for the show jumping rounds. By the dressage fields, the progress on the new Hunt Boxes was also visible. Both of these new structures add to the expanding infrastructure at Stable View leading up to the first CIC 3* Oktoberfest on September 27-30.

The Inaugural Eventing Academy at Stable View successfully raised the bar for both schooling and unrecognized horse trials in Aiken last weekend, Feb. 24-25. With the opportunity to school all three phases on Saturday, horses and riders alike were prepared and confident to tackle the Schooling Horse Trial on Sunday.

Some 103 horses took advantage of the schooling day, and 109 entered on Sunday. Competitors loved the open, galloping feel of the new cross-country course at Stable View, which made its debut for this event.

This event also introduced two new levels: Sprouts (18”) and Tadpole (2’3”). The addition of these lower levels provided the opportunity for less experienced horses and riders to participate. With miniature versions of typical cross-country fences, these courses offered a true taste of eventing. Very few horse and rider pairs had trouble on the cross country course, a testament to the value of schooling the day before!

Photo gallery:

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

There will be five more Eventing Academies as part of the 2018 Series: April 14-15, May 19-20, July 21-22, Aug. 11-12 and Nov. 17-18, with a Dec. 8-9 Academy kicking off the 2019 season. Competitors earn points from each show of the series, and a year-end awards ceremony will be held in the new Pavilion during the December Eventing Academy with prizes totalling in excess of $10,000.

The Eventing Academy Series makes Stable View’s world-class facilities available to up-and-coming riders and those just beginning their journey in eventing. The emphasis on the lower levels encourages grassroots participation in this series. The cross country course allowed great
visibility for spectators, with multiple fences within sight at any given place on course. Many competitors brought along their family, friends and trainers, giving Stable View the “gathering place” atmosphere.

Mogie Bearden-Muller designed the new cross country courses and riders loved the confident ride they were able to give their horses. The show jumping courses, designed by Julie Zapapas, rode nicely throughout the day.

We’re in the homestretch to Stable View’s first Eventing Academy, to be held Feb. 24-25, and preparations are in full-swing.

The opportunity to school all three phases on Saturday before Sunday’s one-day schooling horse trial is an excellent chance for training of inexperienced horses or students. As part of Stable View’s efforts to be environmentally conscious and efficient, riders will be able to enter the schooling day on Saturday electronically upon arrival.

The cross country will be run over the new course with new divisions (Sprouts – 18” and Tadpole – 2’3”) and new jumps as an attempt to offer Aiken eventers the opportunity to participate in a non-Mark Phillips course. Sprout-Training horse trial divisions, Sprout-Advanced combined tests, and dressage tests of choice will be offered. Entries for these divisions are closed, with times to be made available on Thursday. Click here to view the entry form for future Academy Series events.

Photo courtesy of Stable View.

Mogie Bearden-Muller, the cross country course designer for the Eventing Academy Series, has laid a smooth course aimed to produce confidence-building, educational rounds particularly for green horses or riders. Likewise, Julie Zapapas’ show jumping course offers a very different environment to the traditionally technically demanding courses normally presented at Stable View.

With well over 100 riders participating between the two days for the inaugural running of this event, Stable View hopes that it will secure its place on the Aiken Calendar. There will be five more Eventing Academies as part of the 2018 Series: April 14-15, May 19-20, July 21-22, Aug. 11-12, Nov. 17-18, with a Dec. 8-9 Academy kicking off the 2019 season.

Another new initiative at Stable View is the Pavilion, which in terms of construction has proceeded to the second floor. Eventing Academy competitors will be able to view the progress at this show and throughout the rest of the Series, with the competitors’ banquet and award ceremony being held in the completed Pavilion during the December Eventing Academy weekend.

Photo courtesy of Stable View.

Photo courtesy of Stable View.

Photo courtesy of Stable View.

With offices, a kitchen, pub, observation deck and a third floor for scoring, streaming and commentating, this building will also accommodate weddings and function as a conference center. One side will overlook one of the outdoor arenas, and the other side overlooks the derby field on the cross country course.

Built for sponsors, VIPs and stable volunteers as “a gathering place,” the Pavilion is hoped to be ready for Oktoberfest, which will host all National Levels as well as CIC 1*, 2* and 3* levels.

For more information on all upcoming events at Stable View, please visit stableviewfarm.com.

Stable View hosted their second recognized event of the year earlier this week, January 30th-31st, offering Preliminary through Beginner Novice divisions. With 132 riders and the beautiful South Carolina weather, this event was a massive weekday success!

Competition was fierce with prize money awarded in all divisions. The show began with all levels completing the dressage and stadium phases on Tuesday, and all levels finishing with cross-country on Wednesday.

The dressage took place in the beautiful grass arenas at Stable View and ran smoothly thanks to the help of loyal volunteers. With three rings running concurrently, and stadium beginning in the Outdoor Arena, it proved to be a busy day with many professional riders showing multiple horses.

Chris Barnard’s stadium course presented an appropriate challenge for riders. From the show jumping, riders could also catch a glimpse at the progress taking place on Stable View’s newest asset, the Pavilion, positioned at the end of the Outdoor Arena. Tuesday evening ended with a competitors’ party hosted on-site for riders to socialize with one another.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

The following day, all riders tackled the Cross Country course designed by Captain Mark Phillips (GBR) and Mogie Bearden-Muller (assistant). The track wove decorative fences through tree-lined galloping lanes connecting series of tough questions and iconic features like the water complexes. The winter rye provided excellent footing throughout the day, with abundant sunshine and a pleasant breeze to complete the setting.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Congratulations to the winners of each division, with riders placing 1st – 4th receiving checks!

1st-4th place finishers at all levels took home a check! Photo by Christine Rhodes.

As always, thank you to the generous sponsors and volunteers who make events such as this possible!

Here is what some of the competitors had to say about the event:

“Thank you Stable View for the truly galloping cross-country course, perfect footing, and the prize money in each division!” – Claire Robinson

“Great day and awesome hospitality!” – Stephanie Collore-Coates

Stable View will be hosting its Inaugural Eventing Academy on February 24th and 25th, with a schooling day on Saturday and a full schooling horse trials on Sunday! Enter the horse trials now online at www.evententries.com and enter on-site for the schooling day. These events are the perfect place to school for young horses and young riders alike. Sprouts (<18”) – Training (3’3”) levels are available, as well as the option to school one phase or all three.

Stable View kicked off its bustling 2018 show schedule with the Aiken Opener Horse Trials over the weekend, Jan. 6-7. The event was the first of the 2018 calendar year for 124 horse/rider combinations who contested Beginner Novice through Preliminary divisions.

The event began with the dressage and show jumping phases on Saturday for all levels. Three dressage rings ran concurrently, and was the first opportunity for many riders to try their hands at the new 2018 USEA dressage tests, which went into effect Dec. 1. The lowest score of the day went to Mike Pendelton and The Fonz Himself, who ultimately won the Open Training division on their dressage result of 20.0.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Later in the morning the show jumping phase began in the Outdoor Arena on first-class Attwood Equestrian Surfaces footing. The course, designed by Beth Perkins, rode well and many riders turned in double-clear rounds.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Onto Sunday … cross country day! Due to below freezing temperatures, the start was delayed by one hour. The courses were designed by Mogie Bearden-Muller and meant to be inviting ‘opener’ style courses. Mogie explained, “My premise for these course designs was to give the horses a nice, forward experience to begin the year.”

With open galloping lanes, riders were able to give particularly their greener horses a forward ride to build confidence for the rest of the season. The courses featured many of the fixed assets as well as a variety of movable fences placed strategically on Stable View’s world-class cross country course. The more difficult questions on course were balanced with inviting fences to give riders a confidence-boosting cross country round to prepare them for future competitions.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

While on the property, spectators and competitors alike were able to view many of the ongoing projects at Stable View, including the Pavilion which is due to be completed at the end of 2018. This will be a LEED certified, multi-purpose building with viewing areas for both the Outdoor Arena and the cross country course. More improvements are under construction by the second cross country course, which will be used for the Stable View Eventing Academy, a new schooling series that offers a schooling day on Saturday followed by a full schooling horse trial on Sunday.

Without the continued support of sponsors and the dedication of loyal volunteers, this event would not be possible.

Congratulations to the winners in each division from the Stable View Aiken Opener! This show is just the beginning of another successful year of eventing.